The Power of One (1992)

Name: The Power of One
Director: John G. Avildsen
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: 1992-03-27
Duration: 2 h 7 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Morgan Freeman, Nomadlozi Kubheka

PG-13 | 127 min | Drama, Sport

An English boy, living in Africa during World War II, through his boxing prowess, becomes a symbol of hope, in a time of war.

7.2/10
9,361

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40 Metascore

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Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Nomadlozi Kubheka

Nanny
Agatha Hurle

Midwife
Nigel Ivy

P.K. Newborn
Tracy Brooks Swope

Mother
Brendan Deary

P.K. Infant
Winston Mangwarara

Tonderai Infant
Guy Witcher

P.K. Age 7
Tonderai Masenda

Tonderai
Cecil Zilla Mamanzi

Ranch Foreman
John Turner

Afrikaner Minister
Robbie Bulloch

Jaapie Botha
Gordon Arnell

Minister at Mother's Funeral
Jeremiah Mnisi

Dabula Manzi
Armin Mueller-Stahl

Doc
Paul Tingay

Grandfather

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Awards

1 win & 4 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews

14 June 2004 | johnloomis201

Powerful but informative

Having read both the book and watched the film, this is a great film.

Although lacking a lot of the depth and detail the book had it still captures the essence that Bryce Courtenay used in the book.

I myself grew up in South Africa during Apartheid and it was indeed a tragedy, this book captures what I saw during my time to the letter. The governing powers feared the tribes and from this grew hate,from hate anger.

I read the book whilst still in South Africa as a teenager and it left me with a tear more than once. The Film has been skillfully crafted as well as any adaptation can be done and still leaves me with a lump every time that pinnacle line is uttered: 'Little beat Big, If little is smart. First with the head, then with the Heart'

A shame that Robert Kamen didn't put the same emphasis that came from the book.

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The first South African role for Morgan Freeman, who played Nelson Mandela in Invictus (2009).

Quotes

Title Card: In the 1680s, Dutch, French and Germans fled religious persecution in Europe and settled in Southern Africa. They called themselves the Afrikaners. White Africans. / For the next 250 years, the British Empire fought the Afrikaners for control of the...

Goofs

When PK's character goes from 12 to 18 years old, the caption is "Johannesburg 1948". After the classroom scene and as PK and Morrie are walking past the fountain after the art lesson, Morrie says, "...as the Queen has for boules..." In 1948, George VI was the monarch. Elizabeth II, his daughter, did not ascend to the throne until 1952, four years later. However, the wife of a British King is known as the "Queen". Therefore, Morrie may have been referring to George VI's wife, Queen Elizabeth (later known as "The Queen Mother" after her daughter ascended to the throne).